Surveys of soil and water reveal a goldmine of Phytophthora diversity in South African natural ecosystems.

Phytophthora species are well-known as destructive plant pathogens, especially in natural ecosystems. It is ironic, therefore, how little is known regarding the Phytophthora diversity in South African natural woody ecosystems. In this study, Phytophthora species were isolated using standard baiting techniques from 182 soil and water samples and these were identified based on ITS and coxI sequence data.

Histopathology of Infection and Colonization of Susceptible and Resistant Port-Orford-Cedar by Phytophthora lateralis.

ABSTRACT Port-Orford-cedar (POC) root disease, caused by Phytophthora lateralis, continues to kill POC in landscape plantings and natural forests in western North America. POC trees resistant to P. lateralis have been identified and propagated.